Asthma

Lee Health: Your Trusted Partner in Understanding your Asthma Diagnosis

Lee Health allergists and immunologists work closely with you do understand your asthma causes, symptoms and treatment options to improve your quality of life and lung function.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs of about 1 in 13 people. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma than your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, shortness of breath, and "wheezing" sounds.

Asthma symptoms include:

• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing or ability to take deep breaths
• Wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus

While asthma symptoms can vary from person to person, it is important to understand your asthma signs and symptoms to help you manage your condition.

Common Types of Asthma

• Exercise-induced asthma:  Triggered by exercise and can be worse when the air is cold and dry.
• Occupational asthma: Triggered by breathing in irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust
• Allergy-induced asthma: Most commonly triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, etc. although, in some people, skin or food allergies can also cause asthma symptoms.

Asthma Causes & Triggers

Understanding common asthma causes and triggers is an important part of managing your asthma. While there is no known cause for asthma, it is important to understand your potential risk of getting asthma.

Potential Causes of Asthma include:

• Having an atopic or allergy-related condition
• Family History of asthma or related conditions
• Bronchiolitis during childhood
• Exposure to tobacco smoke

Common Asthma Triggers Include:

• Allergies
• Stress
• Smoke, pollution, and fumes
• Certain medicines such as anti-inflammatory painkillers
• Mold or Mildew
• Exercise
• Weather 

Asthma Treatment and Management

When managing your asthma it is important to understand your treatment options for long-term managed care and emergency interventions. Our asthma management program is designed to help you understand your asthma triggers, early signs and treatment options to help improve your quality of life.

There are four major categories of asthma medications:

• Long-term asthma control: Taken to help control chronic symptoms and prevent asthma attacks
• Rescue Medications: Taken to relieve or treat an asthma attack as when needed
• Allergy Medications: Taken regularly to reduce your sensitivity to certain allergens
• Biologics: Used to manage underlying biological responses that cause inflammation

Our multidisciplinary team of health professionals work closely with each of our patients to understand the best treatment plan for you to help you manage your asthma.

Request an Appointment with an Asthma Specialist